From Chart House to Bush Hut Being the Record of a Sailor's 7 Years in the Queensland Bush

** "From Chart House to Bush Hut" by C. W. Bryde is a memoir chronicling the author's seven-year odyssey in the Queensland bushlands during the early 1900s. It portrays his life-altering shift from a sailor accustomed to the predictable rhythms of the ocean to a landowner confronting the unpredictable hardships of rural existence. This book highlights themes of determination, the demanding work of early settlers, and a profound respect for Australia's natural environment, with Bryde sharing his experiences and observations of life in the bush. The memoir begins with Bryde’s time sailing and vividly depicts a dreary coal voyage between Newcastle and Valparaiso, highlighting the physical and mental challenges of maritime employment. Bryde's desire to escape the monotony of sea life leads him to settle down in Australia where he hopes to start a new adventure. The tone of the opening chapters shows a yearning for liberty as well as the challenges that await him as he begins life in the bush. **